Page 70 of Teach Me Your Ways

I braced myself. “Of course.”

“Professor Stone mentioned you expressed interest in a transfer to another professor’s course. Is that correct?”

My brain spun. What the hell? I never expressed anything like that. Well, yes, but that was in the heat of the moment. That was when I was talking to him in a very private conversation.

But clearly Grady was trying to get rid of me. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of looking surprised. Or hurt. I was definitely not going to look angry. I licked my lips, swallowed the lump in my throat, and focused. “Yes. I thought it might be better.”

Dean Carver folded her hands. “Thank you for being honest. Tell me, is there some concern with Professor Stone’s leadership or your interaction?”

Her gaze flicked to him and then back to me. I knew exactly what she was asking. It was the moment she’d been salivating over. She wanted me to tell her I wanted to transfer out of his class because he was a lascivious man whore.

Nope. I’m the whore. I’m the horny one that couldn’t get enough of the sexy professor.

Grady sat still as a statue. I swallowed again. Everything inside me urged confession. There was an overwhelming need to unburden my soul and tell her all about the drama. But I held it in.

I shook my head. “No, ma’am. Professor Stone has been great to work with.” My heart beat like a hummingbird.

Dean Carver studied me, a faint crease of concern around her mouth. She tilted her head like she was trying to see into my brain. I knew she had hoped I would tell her something she could use against him. “I see.” She paused and looked at Grady, then back at me. “Then why the desire to transfer?”

It was my turn to look at Grady to try and understand what was happening. But dammit, he wouldn’t fucking look at me.

“It was mainly due to the scuba trip,” I said. “Professor Stone explained he had safety concerns about my participation due to my responsibilities. And I wondered if the fit was right.”

Dean Carver raised an eyebrow. “Responsibilities being…?”

I didn’t know what to say. This whole thing was Grady’s big idea. I hadn’t come running to the dean when things got complicated.

The dean leaned forward and leveled her gaze at Grady. “Professor Stone, is there a safety issue? What’s going on here?”

He exhaled and finally looked at me. His eyes were tired. Not angry. “I was being cautious. She shouldn’t be on the dive. There’s a good chance there will be a storm coming in.” He swallowed hard.

Dean Carver took a slow breath. She flipped through notes. “Well, it appears you haven’t canceled the trip.” She tapped her pen on the desk. “I don’t see any reason why Ms. Monroe shouldn’t accompany the team.” She looked at me. “Is that acceptable?”

I felt a rush of relief and nodded. “Yes.”

Stone hesitated, but he nodded also, more tightly, like he was conceding territory.

Carver shifted to the next point, her tone casual again. “I’m denying the transfer request.” She leaned back. “At this time, I don’t think that will serve departmental goals. We need you on this project. You’re talented, and this is expected to be a major discovery—it would be unfortunate to reassign one of our best students now. If it’s safe enough for Lina, I don’t see the problem. You’re taking her.”

I watched Grady close his eyes for a moment. I didn’t know if she caught the disappointment on his face, but I did. That stung. It was a blow to my ego. I didn’t know I was such a burden.

Fuck him.

“Thank you, Dean,” I said with a smile.

Carver offered a polished smile. “Cece, I’ve known you as a strong, capable presence in the department. If something’s bothering you with Professor Stone, I hope you’ll tell me—especially if it involves conduct or professional boundaries.”

Grady coughed. I had to fight back the smile. It was his turn to feel like he was in the hot seat. “The boundaries are fine.”

Carver nodded. “Then you’ll continue as Professor Stone’s TA and participate in the dive trip.” She clasped her hands. “Understood?”

“Understood,” I said.

She leaned forward with a smile that made me feel very uncomfortable. “Excellent. I’ll let you resume coordination with Professor Stone. Cece, make us proud. This dive could bring in funding for the next five years.”

“I’ll do my best,” I said.

I stood up, smoothing my hands over my jeans like I could wipe away the tension clinging to me. Grady rose too, his movements stiff, his jaw tight. He still wouldn’t look at me. Fine. If he wanted to play the stoic professor, I could play the dutiful TA.

“Thank you, Dean Carver,” I said, my voice dripping with sweetness. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to continue working with Professor Stone. I’m sure I’ll learn so much from him.”

Grady’s head snapped toward me, his green eyes narrowing just a fraction. I gave him a bright smile, the kind that said “fuck you” without anyone else catching on.

Carver didn’t seem to catch the jab. If she did, she chose to ignore it. “Good luck to you both,” she said, her tone final. “I expect results.”